Safety anchor

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally provides an anchor for providing an attachment point on a surface. In one embodiment, the anchor includes a center shaft having a first member and a second member pivotally coupled thereto. The center shaft has an attachment end and a piercing end. The piecing end is driven through the surface allowing the first and second members to pass therethrough. Once through the surface, the first and second members rotate away from the center shaft to an open position, thus preventing the anchor from disengaging the roof. A collar may be slidably disposed on the center shaft. The collar may be slid against the surface to lock the members in the open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an anchor for providing anattachment point on a structure such as a roof and the like.

[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art

[0004] Fall restraints or safety anchors are commonly used by roofersand other construction personnel to prevent serious injury when workingon roofs and other elevated areas. Typical fall restraints generallyinclude an eye positioned on the roof's exterior and an attachment meansto affix the eye the roof. Often, the attachment means is difficult ortime consuming to deploy. For example, some restraints require access tothe interior of the structure to fasten the restrain. See U.S. Pat. No.5,730,407, issued Mar. 24, 1998 to Ostrobrod and U.S. Pat. No.5,687,535, issued Nov. 18, 1997 to Rohlf. Others require drilling a holethrough the roof proximate access to a structural member such as arafter. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,889, issued Dec. 22, 1998 to Rexroad etal. Still others require locating the rafter from the exterior of theroof to enable the attachment means to be coupled thereto. See U.S. Pat.No. 5,137,112, issued Aug. 11, 1992 to Nichols. Generally, these devicesare difficult to deploy solely from the exterior of the roof. Moreover,the time required to properly affix most fall restraints to the roof maytheir use impractical during emergency situations.

[0005] For example, a firefighter stationed on a roof while fighting afire would benefit from the use of a fall restraint. The pitch of theroof makes it difficult to maintain sure footing on the roof,particularly when handling equipment and hoses. Moreover, water and foamused to extinguish fires often makes the roof slippery, especially whentemperatures are below freezing. The difficult working environment makesuse of most existing fall restrains difficult.

[0006] Thus, there is a need for an improved anchor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention generally provides an anchor for providingan attachment point on a surface. In one embodiment, the anchor includesa center shaft having a first member and a second member pivotallycoupled thereto. The center shaft has an attachment end and a piercingend. The piecing end is driven through the surface allowing the firstand second members to pass therethrough. Once through the surface, thefirst and second members rotate away from the center shaft to an openposition, thus preventing the anchor from disengaging the surface.

[0008] In another embodiment, the anchor additionally comprises a collarslidably disposed on the center shaft. The collar may be slid againstthe surface to lock the members in the open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The teachings of the present invention can be readily understoodby considering the following detailed description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of a safety anchor of theinvention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a safety anchor;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a side view of the safety anchor of FIG. 2;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of safety anchor of FIG. 2;

[0014]FIG. 5 is schematic of another embodiment of a safety anchor;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the safety anchor of FIG. 4 takenalong section lines 4-4; and

[0016] FIGS. 7A-7D depict a mode of operation for the safety anchor ofFIG. 2.

[0017] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals havebeen used, where possible, to designate identical elements that arecommon to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018]FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a safety anchor 100. The safetyanchor 100 generally is used to provide an anchor point that may berapidly deployed through a roof 102 or other structure. Although theillustrative embodiment of the safety anchor 100 is described asproviding an anchor point for a fall restraint disposed on a pitchedroof 102, the anchor 100 provides utility where ever an attachment point120 is desired in a piercable surface.

[0019] The safety anchor 100 generally includes a center shaft 104having a first member 106 and a second member 108 pivotally coupledthereto. The first and the second member 108s generally are driventhrough the roof 102 in a “folded” position adjacent the center shaft104. Upon clearing the roof 102, the first and the second members 106,108 rotate to an “open” position that is typically substantiallyperpendicular to the center shaft 104 as shown in FIG. 1. In the openposition, the members 106, 108 impinge against the interior side of theroof 102 and prevent the anchor 100 from being pulled back out from theroof 102.

[0020] To secure the first and the second members 106, 108 in the openposition against the roof 102, a collar 126, slidably disposed on theshaft 104, is moved against the exterior portion of the roof 102, thussandwiching the roof 102 between the members 106, 108 and the collar126. The collar 126 generally includes a locking mechanism 128 to retainthe collar 126 against the roof 102. The locking mechanism 128 maycomprise a shaft clamp, a tee or thumb screw, a set screw, a collet orthe like.

[0021] The center shaft 104 generally has a round cross-section but mayalternatively be square, triangular, keptangular, hexagonal and the likeis typically fabricated from metal, polymer or composite material ofcomparable strength. In one embodiment, the shaft 104 is configured towithstand shear and tensile loads in excess of 5,000 pounds. The centershaft 104 has an attachment end 110 and a piercing end 112. Theattachment end 110 generally allows a safety line 114 to be securedthereto directly or by use of shackle 116, a carbine clip, eyebolt orsimilar device. In one embodiment, the attachment end 110 comprises aring 118. Optionally, the ring 118 may be removable from the centershaft 104, for example, by a threaded portion 122 having a mating thread124 disposed on the shaft 104, or alternatively, by bolting, clevis pinand the like. Generally, the ring 118 is configured to withstand a blowfrom a sledgehammer, ax or similar object used to drive the piercing end112 through the roof 102.

[0022] The piercing end 112 generally includes a knife-edge or point 120to facilitate puncture of the roof 102. The piercing end 112 may be acontiguous part of the center shaft 104 or may be a separate member. Inone embodiment, the piercing end 112 is removably coupled to the shaft104, for example, by a threaded portion 122 having a mating thread 124disposed on the shaft 104. Alternatively, the piercing end 112 may besecured to shaft by bolting, clevis pin, welding or the like. Aremovable piercing end 112 allows the piercing end 112 to be replaced inthe event the point 120 is damaged.

[0023]FIGS. 2 and 3 depict exploded and side views of one embodiment ofthe first and the second members 106, 108 coupled to the center shaft104. The first member 106 and the second member 108 are generallycoupled to the center shaft 104 near the piercing end 112. The members106, 108 are generally fabricated from a metallic, polymeric orcomposite material. The members 106, 108 typically have a “C” or “U”cross-section, each having a first side 202, 212, a second side 204, 214connected by a center section 206, 216, respectively.

[0024] The center section 206 of the first member 106 is generally wideenough to allow the first and the second sides 202, 204 of the firstmember 106 to straddle the shaft 104 when the first member 106 is in theclosed position. The second member 108 is disposed on the side of theshaft 104 opposite the first member 106. The center section 216 of thesecond member 108 is configured to allow the sides 212, 214 of thesecond member 108 to overlay the sides 202, 204 of the first member 106when the members 106, 108 are in the closed position (See FIG. 4).

[0025] Generally each member 106, 108 has a first end 208 and a secondend 210. The first side 202 and second side 204 of each member 106, 108have a mounting tab 218 extending therefrom. Each mounting tab 218includes a mounting hole 220 is disposed through tab 218 co-axial to themounting hole 220 disposed in the tab 218 on the opposite side of themember. A gap 222 is defined between the tabs 218 and center section 206that allows each member 106, 108 to rotate fully between the closed andopen position without the center section 206 binding on the shaft 104.In the open position, the center sections 206, 216 abut the shaft 104,thus preventing the members 106, 108 from rotation substantially beyondthe open position. The mounting holes 220 in the members 106, 108 arealigned with an aperture 224 disposed in the shaft 104. A bolt 226 ispassed through the mounting holes 220 and the aperture 224 disposed inthe shaft 104 to couple the members 106, 108 to the shaft 104. The bolt226 is generally secured by a lock nut 228. Other means for securing 118the members 106, 108 to the shaft 104 may be utilized, for example, aclevis pin, a dowel pin with retaining rings, a rivet and the like. Inone embodiment, the piercing end 112 is configured to have a diameterlarger than a projected area of the bolt 226 and nut 228 such that thebolt 226 is protected from shearing during penetration of the roof 102.

[0026] Optionally, a torsion spring 230 may be disposed on the bolt 226to bias the members 106, 108 towards the open position. The spring 230allows the members 106, 108 to rotate to the closed position whenpassing through the roof 102 and returns the members 106, 108 to theopen position once the members have penetrated the roof. Having themembers 106, 108 biased to the open position prevents the anchor 100from inadvertently backing out from the roof 102.

[0027]FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of a safety anchor 500. Theanchor 500 is substantially similar to the anchor 100 except that apoint 502 of a piercing end 504 is integral to a first rotating member506 and a second rotating member 508. Generally, the members 506, 508are configured substantially in mirror images of each other. The members506, 508 have a bolt 510 passing therethrough that pivotally couples themembers 506, 508 to a center shaft 512. The members 506, 508 each have acounter bore 514 formed therein that allows the head of the bolt 510 anda nut 516 fastened thereto to be recessed from the outer surface of themembers 506, 508.

[0028] Each member 506, 508 generally has a pointed end 520 that forms aportion of the point 502 when the members 506, 508 are in the closedposition while a second end 518 of the members 506, 508 substantiallycircumscribe the shaft 512. When the members 506, 508 are rotated intothe open position, the pointed end 514 of one member contacts the secondsend 518 of the opposing member, thus supporting the members 506, 508 ina position substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 512.

[0029]FIG. 6 depicts a sectional view of one embodiment of the secondend 518 of the members 506, 508. Generally, the members 506, 508 have asemi-tubular cross-section. The member 506 has a first side 602generally orientated substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotationof the first member 506 and opposes, a first side 604 of the secondmember 508. A second side 606 is disposed on the opposite side of theshaft 512. The sides 604 and 606 are coupled by an outer arc 608 and aninner arc 610. The second side 606 is configured to extend substantiallytangential from the inner arc 608 so that the second end 518 of themember 506 clears the shaft 512 as the member 506 rotates. The secondmember 408 is similarly configured.

[0030] An exemplary description of operation of the anchor 100 isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 7A-7D. Other modes of operation may beperformed, for example, providing an anchor point in a wall and arecontemplated by the inventor. In the exemplary mode of operation, theanchor 100 is positioned with the piercing end 112 in contact with theroof 102. The attachment end 112 is stuck with an object such as an axe702 to drive the piercing end 112, the first member 106 and the secondmember 108 through the roof 102.

[0031] Once the second end 210 of the members 106, 108 have passedthrough the roof 102, the members 106, 108 then rotate to the openposition, preventing the anchor 100 from becoming disengaged from theroof 102. The members 106, 108 are pulled against the motor and thecollar 126 is then slid against the roof 102. The locking mechanism 128is engaged to secure the collar's position against the roof 102, thussecuring the anchor 100 to the roof.

[0032] While foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may bedevised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scopethereof is determined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An anchor comprising: a center shaft having anattachment end and a piercing end; a first member pivotally coupled tothe center shaft; and a second member pivotally coupled to the centershaft.
 2. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the piercing end terminates ina point or knife edge.
 3. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the piercingend is removable from the center shaft.
 4. The anchor of claim 1,wherein the first member and the second member are rotatable between afirst position proximate the shaft and a second position orthogonal tothe shaft.
 5. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the attachment endcomprises a ring.
 6. The anchor of claim 5, wherein the attachment endis removable from the center shaft.
 7. The anchor of claim 1 furthercomprising a collar slidably disposed on the shaft.
 8. The anchor ofclaim 7, wherein the collar further comprises a means for fixing thecollar along the shaft.
 9. The anchor of claim 8, wherein the means forfixing is selected from a group consisting of a threaded member, a clampand a pin.
 10. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the first member andsecond member each include an end that meet to form a point that extendsbeyond the piercing end of the shaft when the first member and thesecond member are in the first position.
 11. The anchor of claim 1further comprising a spring that biases at least one of the members awayfrom the shaft.
 12. An anchor comprising: a center shaft having anattachment end and a piercing end; a first member pivotally coupled tothe center shaft; a second member pivotally coupled to the center shaft;and a collar slidably disposed on the center shaft.
 13. The anchor ofclaim 12, wherein the collar slidably further comprises a means forfixing the collar in an axial position relative to the shaft.
 14. Theanchor of claim 13, wherein the means for fixing further comprises athreaded member, a clamp or a pin.
 15. The anchor of claim 12, whereinthe first member and the second member are rotatable between a firstposition proximate the shaft and a second position orthogonal to theshaft.
 16. The anchor of claim 15, wherein the first member and secondmember each include an end that meet to form a point that extends beyondthe piercing end of the shaft when the first member and the secondmember are in the first position.
 17. The anchor of claim 12 furthercomprising a spring that biases at least one of the away from the shaft.18. The anchor of claim 12, wherein the attachment end comprises a ring.19. An anchor comprising: a center shaft having a first end and a secondend; a ring disposed on the first end; a first member pivotally coupledto the center shaft; a second member pivotally coupled to the centershaft, the first member and the second member are rotatable between afirst position proximate the shaft and a second position orthogonal tothe shaft; a collar slidably disposed on the center shaft; and a meanscoupled to the collar for fixing the collar in an axial positionrelative to the shaft.
 20. The anchor of claim 19, wherein the firstmember and second member each include an end that meet to form a pointthat extends beyond the piercing end of the shaft when the first memberand the second member are in the first position.